The first group of athletes who represented their country at the Asian Games in Harbin have returned home. They were greeted by a crowd of fans at the Astana International Airport, the official website of the capital's akimat reported.
Among them are bronze medalists in the team sprint speed skating Nadezhda Morozova and the capital's athlete Daria Vazhenina.
"I'm participating in the World Cups. But the scale and level of organization of the Winter Asian Games are completely different. We fought for the prize as best we could. We had a plan for the team competition. As a result, we took third place. Our opponents are not weak either. South Korean representative Kim Min-sun and Chinese athlete Han Mei won silver medals at the World Championships last year," said Daria Vazhenina.
14 medals were up for grabs in speed skating at the Harbin Games, and the Kazakh team won 1 silver and 1 bronze. The double prize is also of special importance. Because Yevgeny Koshkin won a silver medal in the 100-meter dash and the women's team event, she had never won a medal before.
"We have prepared thoroughly for the Asian Games. Our opponents are also familiar. My personal plan was to win 1 gold and 1 silver medal. However, I took 4th place at a distance of 3,000 meters. I was nervous at a distance of 1,500 meters and could not show myself at my full potential. As a result, I took 7th place. I will have to be content with a bronze medal. The competition will not stop there. I will analyze my mistakes and take a step forward," Nadezhda Morozova concluded.
It should be noted that the Winter Asian Games will be held from February 7 to 14.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/astana/press/news/details/937290